Golf training device

ABSTRACT

A golf training device comprising of a golf glove, a laser path guide attached to the golf glove and a realizer clubface attached to the golf glove. Wearing said golf training device a golfer can take a stance with respect to one or more reference lines drawn on a practice surface, align a laser beam produced by the laser path guide to fall on a reference point drawn on the practice surface and then practice a golf swing. During the practice of the golf swing the laser beam should follow the reference lines drawn on the practice surface. A proper golf swing is produced when the laser beam follows the reference lines.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Utility Patent Application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/936,398 filed Feb. 6, 2014 titled “GAME-INGLOVE” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/991,626 filed May 12, 2014 titled “GAME-INGLOVE” and both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a training device for practicing golf skills. More particularly, the present invention relates to a golf glove which a golfer can wear to develop and practice a proper golf swing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the game of golf the golfer must swing the golf club on the correct plane during the backswing, down through impact and through the follow through in order to produce consistent results and reduce the number of shots required to finish a hole.

The left hand (for right-handed golfers), or the right hand (for left-handed golfers) represents the control hand and is the hand that the golf glove is worn, henceforth referred to as glove/control hand throughout. The golf glove has a primary objective of ensuring that the golfer maintains a good grip on the golf club, that doesn't slip or move during the entire golf swing. The golf grip represents the only contact the golfer has with the golf club and is integral to a proper, efficient and consistent golf swing.

Since, the golf grip represents the only contact the golfer has with the golf club, it is important to understand that the position and orientation of the back of the glove/control hand is directly related to the position and orientation of the clubface. Therefore, in order to properly understand how the clubface moves through impact one must understand the relationship between the clubface and the back of the glove/control hand and how that moves through impact. Additionally, in order to understand how to properly de-loft the clubface and properly hit down and compress the golf ball one must understand the relationship between the clubface and the back of the glove/control hand and how that acts through impact.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a training device that allows the golfer to understand and know the position of the clubface at impact and, to understand and feel the area of the clubface (sweet spot, toe or heel) that makes contact with the ball at impact, in order to take the necessary steps to correct any swing flaws.

A prior art search revealed a number of patents which do not provide the golfer with a visual representation of the actual clubface orientation as it relates to the golf glove/control hand. U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,253 discloses a Golf grip training glove which facilitates proper hand placement by the golfer when interfacing with a golf club to achieve a desirable golf ball flight pattern. The gloves need not necessarily change the shape of a conventional golf glove but place various indicia and hook and loop type fasteners in specific strategically located positions to train the golfer to learn the correct grip visually, tactually and kinesthetically. U.S. Pat. No. 8,261,372 discloses a golf glove, the grip pads of the golf glove are comprised of a silicone material. The grip pads comprise a plurality of bumps having geometric shapes. The bumps are provided directly on the first material of the glove or on a thin base layer of silicone. The plurality of bumps on the thin base layer provide surface irregularities in the golf glove intended to assist the golfer in gripping a golf club. The bumps are arranged on the glove such that they contact the grip of a golf club when the golf club is gripped by a golfer. Accordingly, the bumps may be positioned on tip portions of the fingers and thumb and also along a line extending between a hypothenar region of the palm and a portion of the palm located between the finger and thumb. U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,116 discloses a golf glove which is provided with indicia that aids in properly gripping a golf club whether the grip employed is a conventional grip or a natural golf grip.

Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a golf glove training device that will assist a golfer in understanding how to properly hit down on the ball with the correct clubface orientation thereby eliminating the slice as well as weak powerless golf shots and instead will compress the ball and gain power, distance and consistency. There also exists a long-felt need for a golf training device that provides the golfer with a visual representation of the actual clubface orientation and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a golf training device, henceforth referred to as “game-inglove” or as “golf training device game-inglove”. The game-inglove of the present invention comprises of a golf glove, an opening for receipt of a wearer's hand and an exterior surface. The game-inglove further comprises of a laser guide, henceforth referred to as “laser path guide (LPG)” positioned at the exterior surface of the backhand portion of the game-inglove on the back strap of the game-inglove, and a clubface imitation henceforth referred to as “realizer clubface'” positioned on the exterior surface of the back portion of the game-inglove. The game-inglove golf training aid further comprises of laser path mat which is used in conjunction with the laser path guide to trace the laser dot along predefined swing arcs in order to develop a consistent and repeatable swing plane.

The laser path guide is secured in such a way that when the golfer takes up the address position the resultant laser dot points at the ground and ahead of the golfer's feet and beyond. The correct positioning of the laser path guide is an essential feature of the game-inglove training aid since the resultant laser dot must point at the ground and at least level with or ahead of the golfers feet. In order to achieve the correct positioning of the laser dot ahead of the feet at address, the laser path guide is adjustable by rotating the laser path guide. This rotating feature allows for variances in set-up, height, stance and posture of the golfer.

The realizer clubface is approximately the same size and shape of a regular 7-iron and is made of rubber or silicone though any other suitable materials can also be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. The realizer clubface is positioned on the exterior surface of the back portion of the game-inglove so that the toe of the realizer clubface is in level with the knuckle of the index finger and the heel is in level with the knuckle of the little finger. The realizer clubface is in-laid into the back of the game-inglove in order that the golfer can visually check the position of the clubface but at the same time will essentially not impair the use of the golf glove during practice sessions. The game-inglove training aid can be used to practice with real golf clubs hitting real balls and can then just be folded up and put away.

The leading edge of the realizer clubface runs parallel to the knuckles of the glove/control hand and the golfer is therefore able to understand the relationship of the realizer clubface as it pertains to the glove/control hand as well as understand what is meant by feel as it pertains to sweet spot, toe and heel contact. The realizer clubface will also allow the golfer to understand how to properly hit down on the ball and how to really compress the golf ball at impact thereby eliminating the slice and producing power.

The game-inglove training device of the present invention also provides the golfer with a visual representation of the actual clubface orientation as it relates to the golf glove/control hand and in doing so immediately changes the golfers perspective as to how the glove/control hand works throughout the swing and in particular at impact. The golfer will then understand how to properly hit down on the ball with the correct clubface orientation thereby eliminating the slice as well as weak powerless golf shots and instead will compress the ball and gain power, distance and consistency.

Consequently, the game-inglove training device of the present invention enables a golfer to understand as to how to properly hit down on the ball with the correct clubface orientation thereby eliminating the slice as well as weak powerless golf shots and instead to compress the ball and gain power, distance and consistency.

Additionally, the game-inglove training device of the present invention provides the golfer with a visual representation of the actual clubface orientation and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back portion of the golf training device game-inglove, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the golf training device game-inglove in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the golf training device game-inglove in use in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the back portion of the golf training device game-inglove with the laser path guide affixed to knuckle of the glove in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. The drawings are in simplified form and not to precise scale. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the invention can be practiced without these specific details.

The golf training device game-inglove of the present invention enables a golfer to understand as to how to properly hit down on a golf ball with the correct clubface orientation of a golf club and thereby eliminate the slice as well as weak powerless golf shots. Instead, the golf training device game-inglove enables a golfer to compress the ball and thus gain power, distance and consistency. The golf training device game-inglove of the present invention also provides the golfer with a visual representation of the actual clubface orientation. Finally, the golf training device game-inglove of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the golf training device game-inglove 100 of the present invention, comprising a golf glove 110, a laser path guide 140 and a realizer clubface 160. The golf glove 110 further comprises an opening 115 for receipt of a wearer's hand and an exterior surface 120. The golf glove 110 of the Game-inglove 100 can be manufactured from any suitable material known in the art such as leather, a microfiber, nylon, polyester, etc., and can also be manufactured to accommodate right handed or left handed golfers. Game-inglove 100 can also be manufactured in a variety of sizes, colors, styles and designs to accommodate user preference.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, realizer clubface 160, in a preferred embodiment, is an imitation in shape and size of a regular 7 iron golf club and is placed on the back of the exterior surface 120 of the golf glove 110 of game-inglove 100. Although, realizer clubface 160 looks similar to a regular 7 iron clubface in FIG. 3, it would be obvious that realizer clubface 160 can be made to look like any other standard club face in other embodiments of the present invention. The grooves 162, the place where grooves 162 end and the alignment of the grooves 162 in the realizer clubface 160 are exactly the same as that of a regular 7 iron. During practice, a golfer can make out the position of the actual club face of the golf club held by him/her by simply looking at the realizer clubface 160 of the game-inglove 100 worn by him/her and, thus, the realize clubface 160 enables the user of the game-inglove 100 to realize the position of the actual golf club face. Realizer clubface 160 is preferably constructed of silicone or rubber, though any other suitable materials can also be used without affecting the overall scope of the invention. Realizer clubface 160 is in-laid into the back of the exterior surface 120 of the golf glove 110 of the game-inglove 100, and may be integrally formed with the golf glove 110 or subsequently attached to the back of the glove by any means commonly known in the art such as with an adhesive, glue or other binding agent. Realizer clubface 160 may also be stitched into exterior surface 120. The leading edge 175 of the realizer clubface 160 runs parallel to the knuckles of the glove/control hand and the golfer wearing the game-inglove is therefore able to understand the relationship of the realizer clubface 160 as it pertains to the glove/control hand. The realizer clubface 160 also helps a golfer wearing the game-inglove 100 to understand the sweet spot, toe and heel contact.

The hosel 170 of the realizer clubface 160 continues around to shaft line on the palm of the game-inglove 100 as shown in FIG. 1 in dotted line 130. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the shaft line 130 on the palm of the glove indicates where the golf grip of the golf club lies when the golfer correctly grips the club. The game-inglove realizer clubface 160, hosel 170 and shaft line 130 further indicate the importance of the relationship between the glove/control hand and the actual golf club clubface. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Laser path guide 140 extends outwardly from the back strap 180 of the game-inglove 100, though the Laser path guide 140 can be installed at any other suitable position on the game-inglove 100 without affecting the overall scope of the invention. For example, as shown in shown in FIG. 4, the laser path guide 140 can be affixed at the knuckle portion of the golf glove 110 of the game-inglove 100. The laser path guide 140 can be any regular laser beam projector known in the art that is adapted for the purpose. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Laser path guide 140 is switched on and off manually and it can be adjusted or rotated to change direction of the laser beam produced by it. The laser path guide 140 may be integrally formed with game-inglove 100 or subsequently attached to the back of the golf glove 110 by any means commonly known in the art such as with an adhesive, glue or other binding agent. Laser path guide 140 may also be stitched into or encased or partially covered by exterior surface 120.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, realizer clubface 160 is in-laid into the back of the golf glove 110 of the game-inglove 100, though realizer clubface 160 can also be raised by several millimeters without affecting the overall scope of the invention.

Having now described the preferred embodiment of golf glove training device 100, its use and usefulness will now be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The game-inglove training device 100 of the present invention guides a golfer in performing a proper golf swing. The game-inglove's realizer clubface 160 provides the golfer wearing the game-inglove 100 with a visual representation of the actual clubface orientation as it relates to the golf glove/control hand and, in doing so, it immediately changes the golfers perspective as to how the hands move down and through impact and how the golf glove/control hand works throughout the swing and in particular at impact. The golfer will then be able to understand how to properly hit down on the ball with the correct clubface orientation thereby eliminating the slice as well as weak powerless golf shots and, instead, will be able to compress the ball and gain power, distance and consistency in a golf shot. Therefore, realization of the facts that the golf glove hand is the control hand and that realizer clubface 160 orientation is related to the actual clubface position is an integral part of this training aid.

The laser path guide 140 is orientated and positioned on the back strap 180 of golf glove 110 in a preferred embodiment. The laser path guide 140 is secured in such a way that, when the golfer takes up the address position, the resultant laser beam 305 can point at the ground and ahead of the golfer feet and beyond. The correct positioning of the laser path guide 140 is an essential feature of this golf training device game-inglove 100 since the resultant laser beam 305 must be able to point at the ground and at least level with or ahead of the golfer's feet. In order to achieve the correct positioning of the laser beam 305 ahead of the feet at address, the laser path guide 140 is made adjustable This rotating feature of the laser path guide 140 allows for variances in set-up, height, stance and posture of the golfer.

In a preferred embodiment, for practicing the golf swing i.e. for practicing backswing, impact and follow through, the game-inglove 100 training aid is used in conjunction with one or more reference lines drawn on a practice surface. As shown in FIG. 3, a laser path mat 310 can be used as a practice surface. Preferably, the one or more reference lines include a stance line 320 marked on one edge of the laser path mat 310 along its longitudinal axis, one or more swing arcs (arc 325 and 330 in FIG. 3 for example) which can be used as reference paths for the laser beam 305 for practicing the shots by a golfer while using the game-inglove 100. In a preferred embodiment, the said one or more swing arcs are drawn to represent the paths of the laser beam 305 would make on a practice surface when a professional golfer produces a proper golf swing wearing the game-inglove 100. Thus, a person can practice and produce a quality golf swing by tracing the laser beam 305 along the various swing arcs already drawn on the practice surface. During practice, on taking up the address position behind the stance line 320, the golfer would rotate the laser path guide 140 so that the laser beam 305 points within the circle 315 on the mat 310. During practice the golfer would then ensure that the laser beam 305 traces back and through along the swing arcs 325 and 330 On the backswing of the golf club 335 the laser beam 305 should stay on or near the outer line 325 and on the downswing the laser beam 305 should stay on or near the lower line 330. Although, desired it is not essential that the laser beam 305 should exactly follow the swing arcs since a proper golf swing can still be attained if the laser beam 305 stays within a reasonable area along the swing arcs. If the laser beam 305 strays too far outside of these parameters then the golfer has a swing flaw that needs to be addressed. Also, errors with the backswing, impact and downswing are easily identifiable with the respective laser patterns produced by the laser beam 305 on the laser path mat 310. Should the laser beam 305 stray too far outside of the swing arcs 325 and 330 then the golfer has a problem with some aspect of the swing that needs to be addressed as this could be related to the backswing, downswing impact or the follow through.

In some preferred embodiments, the swing arcs 325 and 330, circle 315, stance line 320 of the laser path mat 310 can all be drawn on the practice surface itself on which a golfer practices without using the laser path mat 310.

Additionally, other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including,” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “attached” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf training device game-inglove comprising: a golf glove; a laser path guide attached to said golf glove; and a realizer clubface attached to said golf glove; wherein said golf training device assists a golfer in the development of a proper golf swing.
 2. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said laser path guide projects a laser beam.
 3. The golf training device as in claim 2, wherein said laser path guide projects said laser beam on a practice surface.
 4. The golf training device as in claim 3, wherein said practice surface includes one or more reference lines drawn on it.
 5. The golf training device as in claim 4, wherein said one or more reference lines include one or more swing arcs.
 6. The golf training device as in claim 5, wherein said one or more swing arcs are drawn as reference for said proper golf swing.
 7. The golf training device as in claim 5, wherein said proper golf swing is produced when said laser beam follows said one or more swing arcs during a golf swing when said golf training device is worn by said golfer.
 8. The golf training device as in claim 5, wherein said proper golf swing is produced when said laser beam follows an area along said one or more swing arcs during a swing of said golf club when said golf training device is worn by said golfer.
 9. The golf training device as in claim 3, wherein said practice surface is a laser path mat.
 10. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said laser path guide is attached to back of exterior said golf glove.
 11. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said laser path guide is attached to back strap of said golf glove.
 12. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said laser path guide is attached to knuckle of said golf glove.
 13. The golf training device as in claim 2, wherein said laser path guide is adjustable to change direction of said laser beam.
 14. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said realizer clubface is an imitation of a standard golf club face.
 15. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein leading edge of said realizer clubface runs parallel to knuckles of said golf glove.
 16. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said realizer clubface enables said golfer to realize the position of said golf club while in use.
 17. The golf training device as in claim 1, wherein said realizer clubface has a shaft line on the palm of said golf glove that indicates where said golf club is to be correctly gripped wearing said golf glove.
 18. A method of training golf swing using a golf training device game-inglove, wherein said golf training device game-inglove comprises of a golf glove, a laser path guide attached to said golf glove and a realizer clubface attached to said golf glove, said method comprising the steps of: wearing said golf glove by a golfer; taking a stance by said golfer with respect to one or more reference lines drawn on a practice surface; aligning a laser beam produced by said laser path guide to fall on a reference point drawn on said practice surface; and making said laser beam follow one or more swing arcs included in said one or more reference lines during a golf swing; wherein said golf swing becomes a proper golf swing when said laser beam follow said one or more swing arcs during a golf swing.
 19. A golf training device comprising: a golf glove worn by a golfer; a laser beam projector attached to said golf glove producing a laser beam; an imitation of golf club face attached to said golf glove; and a practice surface having one or more reference lines drawn on it; wherein by making said laser beam follow said one or more reference lines on said practice surface a proper golf swing is produced by said golfer. 